"We can only sustain our economy by following the moderate form [of Islam] which has been in the Maldives until now.We [ministers] are labelled anti-Islamic because we support the tolerant form [of Islam]. But that label is a disgrace to our parents as well," she (Tourism Minister Dr Mariyam Zulfa) said.

The minister stressed that requests from several resort owners have led her ministry to look into ways to allow resorts to resume spa operations....

Zulfa also admitted that the government's decision would affect the tourism industry.

Tourism Ministry issued a circular on Thursday ordering all the resorts in Maldives to shut down their spas claiming that a majority of Maldivians have accused the spas of being run as brothels.

"As specifying a certain distance from Male would not be a wise decision [in closing down spas] and that other resorts, which also cater for locals, are located close to inhabited islands, the government has decided to close down the spas in all the resorts on a fair basis and by giving a higher priority to the allegations made," the circular read.

Religious organisations and opposition parties gathered at the Tsunami Monument area on December 23 condemning the government's religious policies and making five demands to the government.

The Government is working to construct 11 new regional airports in 11 regions and work is under way to complete them as soon as possible....

The Minister further said the construction work of these airports have been handed to Airports Investment Management Company which is a company established for this project. There will be a 200 bed hotel, a yacht marina and a transit hotel in every airport in order to

"The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced last week that it has used $60 million of the $1.2 billion given to the agency in economic stimulus funds for purchasing “advanced-technology research instruments”